Country Cousin

First...

Hi Folks!

No matter how much we wish for a reprieve, it seems that winter is pretty much here to stay. It comes to Wisconsin every year, and every year most of us wish it wouldn’t, except that the deer hunters would appreciate a dusting of snow for tracking purposes and the rest of us would like a nice fluffy, sparkly snow (not on the roads, though) for Christmas. Then it can go away. Even many of the die hard snowmobilers are converting to ATVs, because they can enjoy rides on them, snow or no snow.

We’re busy this week preparing for Thanksgiving, whether we will traveling elsewhere, or preparing the family feast in our own homes.

THAT FIRST THANKSGIVING

Think of what it must have taken to prepare that first Thanksgiving feast 391 years ago. To really appreciate how grateful they must have been, we need to think how they must have despaired a year earlier.

Think how those Pilgrims must have felt when they first set foot on the cold and snowy shores of what was to be their new homeland, on Nov. 19, 1620. The Mayflower had intended to land near Jamestown, in the far warmer climate of Virginia, but a series of events, including some unfavorable weather, led them to the shores of Massachusetts and the eventual settlement near what we now call Plymouth Rock.

The 105 passengers plus about 32 crew members aboard that tiny ship had already been in their cramped quarters at sea for more than 60 days when they arrived at the shore of what today is Massachusetts. Historians tell us that each person aboard had approximately the space of a standard single size bed. The ceilings in the cramped sheltered area below decks were so low that anyone over five feet tall could not stand upright.

In addition to humans, cargo on the tiny Mayflower included pigs, goats, and poultry. Some passengers brought family pets such as cats and birds. Peter Browne brought a large bitch mastiff and John Goodman brought his spaniel. No cattle or beasts of draft or burden were brought on the journey.

Despite the crowding, the 137 persons plus their animals were for the most part forced to spend the winter aboard that little ship if they hoped to survive at all.

Approximately half did not survive. Of the 105 heroic souls who left the old world in search of a place where they could freely practice their religions without government interference, only 53 were still alive in March, when they finally disembarked. Half of the passengers and crew had fallen victim to a contagious disease described as a mixture of scurvy, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

We’re told that passengers passed the time by reading by candlelight or playing cards and games like “Nine Men’s Morris.” Nine Men’s Morris is described as a sort of sophisticated tic tac toe, that originated at least a thousand years before Christ. Some of the ancient celts reportedly considered it sacred.

Meals on board were cooked by the firebox, which was an iron tray with sand in it on which a fire was built. This was risky because it was kept in the waist of the ship. Passengers made their own meals from rations that were issued daily and food was cooked for a group at a time.

Beer was consumed in quantity by all, because the drinking water was seen as unsafe.

Historians differ on whether or not the extra food that enabled any of the group aboard the Mayflower to survive was willingly shared by the Native Americans or if the newcomers pilfered the stores of corn and multi-colored beans stashed in numerous hiding places along the beach. Records do say the grateful settlers did pay the Indians back within six months, as soon as their own harvests started coming in.

Having surviving that horrendous winter and then finding the bounty of a good harvest and an abundance of fish and game in their new land, the Pilgrim Fathers rejoiced and declared a feast of thanksgiving.

Had always thought the terms “Pilgrims” and Puritans” were pretty much synonymous when it came to the first settlers in New England, but it turns out they are not. Both groups disagreed with enforced membership in the Anglican Church - the Church of England - and apparently embarked to the New World to get away from it. However, the Pilgrims were “Separatists,” who wanted full separation of Church and state as well as separation of their religion from the sanctioned church of their day in Europe, while Puritans mainly wanted to work for reform within the church structure. The Puritans are credited with being forerunners of the Calvinists of today. The two groups even took up residence in separate colonies in their new homeland.

The Puritans are generally portrayed as more straight laced and solemnly religious, and would have probably celebrated Thanksgiving in a purely religious fashion, without the feasting or merrymaking that the Pilgrims enjoyed.

Regardless, the survivors were probably the hardiest of both lots, and both groups left a heritage of Yankee values that benefits America to this day. As Harry Moyle Tippett said of them, “The Pilgrims came to America not to accumulate riches but to worship God, and the greatest wealth they left unborn generations was their heroic example of sacrifice that their souls might be free.”

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Perhaps we should all pause for a moment of silence in honor of the passing of the late, great company that gave birth to legendary treats like Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes and more. The parent company was already foundering on the brink of bankruptcy when their highly intelligent union went on strike a week ago. Company management decided simple reorganization wouldn’t work. They would shut down operations and close their doors forever.

That means over 18,000 people directly out of work just before Christmas, plus thousands of delivery route owners who will be left without routes or means to make payments on their vehicles.

Good job!

We’re told that some other company will probably buy up the name rights to the famous Twinkies and start making them again, but somehow doubt they’ll ever be quite as good.

Will our Twinkies now be imported from China?

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

That said, Thanksgiving of 2012 will be history by this time next week, and Christmas preparations will be underway in earnest.

Lots of Deer Widows take advantage of the Friday after Thanksgiving to get a head start on their shopping, but that might be too early. From now until Christmas Eve, in many homes hints about what folks want for Christmas will be dropping faster than snow flakes in a blizzard.

Some make it easy by composing letters to Santa. One lady wrote: “Dear Santa, All I want this year is a fat bank account and a skinny body. Please do not mix them up like you did last year!”

Amen to that!

GENETICS?

A recent Internet report of a young man who found his “doppelganger” in a little known 16th century Italian painting by an unknown artist titled “Portrait of a Nobleman with Dueling Gauntlet,” totally by accident while strolling through the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Nov. 11 with his girl friend. Photos of the two, side by side, show them to be identical, except for the clothes.

It seems to be more than coincidence. The young man involved did some research and found that his grandparents came from the area in Italy where the painting originated. Seems very possible that the nobleman in the 1576 painting is an ancestor.

Generational resemblances are not really rare, but we often don’t get to see them. After all, how many of us have photos or portraits going more than a few generations back? And in truth, how many of us have photos of ourselves that even we wouldn’t recognize. Actually, maybe that’s just because we don’t want to admit we look like that, but that’s another story.

Anyway, while a grandson and I were going through some old family mementos a few years ago, we discovered an old family picture that appears to be from the wedding of my grandparents, his great-great grandparents. And there he was, this same grandson, looking out at us. An identical young man, probably a brother of the bride, from the Paris side of the family. We put that picture next to the grandson’s driver’s license photo and the only difference was that one was in color and the other wasn’t. Even the haircuts were the same!

Most of us today are willing to agree that genetic traits are passed along from generation to generation. So, who would my grandson be if the mother of this family had decided she didn’t want any children, and had every one she conceived aborted? For that matter, who would I be? How much is the world changed by such decisions? Human lives down through the ages are affected by the decisions of our ancestors. We all suffer for the sins of our fathers (and mothers). Let us who are alive today try to make the right decisions to benefit those who will inherit the benefits of our wisdom and the suffering caused by our mistakes!

COOKIN’ TIME

Turkey Day leftovers open up all kinds of opportunities for experimenting, and good cooks everywhere keep coming up with wonderful new ideas. This is a good time to experiment. Hunters coming in from the woods are often so hungry that they’ll welcome almost anything that looks and smells like food, so you can get way with experimenting a bit. Got an idea? Go ahead and try it. You may come up with a real winner that becomes a traditional favorite in your household.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Butternut Squash Soup is a luscious, smooth soup, delicately seasoned with ginger and nutmeg—perfect for cool autumn soup and sandwich evenings at home or to start your Thanks-giving dinner. This recipe serves six. Takes about 40 minutes to prepare, even less if you make it from leftover Thanks-giving squash.

3 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 butternut squash (2 pounds), peeled, halved, seeded and

cut into 1-inch chunks

1 medium green apple, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 tablespoon brandy (optional)

1/3 cup orange juice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable Stock

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted, optional

Sour cream, optional

Chopped crystalized ginger, optional

Melt butter in large saucepan on medium-low heat. Add onion; cook and stir three minutes or until slightly softened. Add squash, apple and brandy, if desired. Cook on medium heat one minute, stirring occasionally. Stir in orange juice, ground ginger, nutmeg and stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until squash is tender, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. With center part of cover removed to let steam escape, puree soup in batches in blender on high speed until smooth. Return pureed mixture to saucepan. Stir in heavy cream. Cook until heated through. Ladle into soup bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and chopped crystallized ginger, if desired.

TURKEY BROCCOLI ALFREDO

Another great recipe from the Campbell’s� Soup people, and another great way to use leftover turkey. Takes about 10 minutes to put it together and another 20 minutes to cook. Makes four servings. Easy to double if the clan has gathered.

8 ounces linguine or spaghetti

1 C. fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s� Condensed Cream of

Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

2 cups cubed cooked turkey

Prepare the linguine according to the package directions in a 3-quart saucepan. Add broccoli during the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the linguine mixture well in a colander. Return the linguine mixture to the saucepan. Stir in the soup, milk, cheese, black pepper and turkey and cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with a crisp green salad, preferably with French or other tomato-based dressing.

RECIPE TIPS: Substitute spaghetti for the linguine.

CRANBERRY TURKEY SANDWICHES

This spread uses the delicious dried cranberries that some of us used to know as crancherries. If the cranberries seem a bit too hard, place them in a small bowl barely covered with hot water. Soak for about 2-3 minutes or until softened, and then drain before using.

4 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped green onion or chives (optional)

1/4 cup walnuts or cashews, chopped

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 tablespoon lemon juice

ground black pepper, to taste

4 ounces turkey breast, thinly sliced

1 cup baby arugula, endive or spinach leaves

1 loaf sourdough or multi grain bread

Combine cream cheese, dried cranberries, mayonnaise, lemon juice, green onion or chives, pepper and nuts in a bowl. and stir until the cream cheese is smooth. Toast bread or not, your preference. Spread filling on each slice of bread, add a slice of turkey to cover bread on half the slices, and then a thin layer of the salad greens. Put on the second slice of bread and press gently. Cut into halves or quarters to serve.

IOWA STYLE PUMPKIN CAKE

There’s still time to make this easy but luxurious treat for Thanksgiving, or afterwards, if you’re out of Pumpkin pie, but your clan still craves the pumpkin spice flavor, bake this luscious, lavish dessert cake for them. This is very rich and should be taken seriously. Top with vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream and garnish with honey roasted, shelled pumpkin seeds if you wish.

1 canned pumpkin, large can

1 evaporated milk, 1 can

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 box yellow cake mix, dry

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 1/4 cups butter, melted

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt and cloves in a large bowl and blend thoroughly. Pour the blended mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Top with the dry cake mix, then the pecans. Finally drizzle with the melted butter and bake for 50-60 minutes until done. Let the cake stand overnight.

Thought for the week: Thanksgiving - a time for feasting, for gatherings with family and friends over food and drink that the Lord has provided - and hopefully, a time for thanking God, who provided all this for us, and a time for us to know that this bounty is not from government, it is not even from the fruits of our labors or the wisdom of our plantings, although that helps. Our groaning tables, the families gathered around them, the winds that blow, the sun that shines upon us are all gifts from the Almighty Creator. Without Him, nothing that is would be. Thank You, God. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and may we all find happiness in giving thanks!

(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-927-5034 or by e-mail at shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo. com.)

COUNTRY COUSIN

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date Department Headline

05-16-2013 Front Page
Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award

05-16-2013 Front Page
Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools

05-16-2013 Front Page
Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area

05-16-2013 Front Page
Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan

05-16-2013 Front Page
Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Lorna M. Techmeier

05-16-2013 Obituaries
James R. Schaut

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Nora E. Salewsky

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Ralph R. Runge

05-16-2013 Obituaries
James P. Reindl

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Uta Rasmussen

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Virginia Ellsworth Plier

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Ursula J. Peters

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Walter J. Moucha, Sr.

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Kasimir Melnyk

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Bernadette E. Meek

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Shirley Jean Johnson

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Julie N. Jeske

05-16-2013 Obituaries
George L. Hayden

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Patricia L. Gomber

05-16-2013 Obituaries
James A. Erickson,

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Frank M. Dudek

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Judith A. Carrillo

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Shirley Ann Bishop

05-16-2013 Obituaries
Donald M. Allard

05-16-2013 Sports
Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist

05-16-2013 Sports
Track Regionals To Begin May 20

05-16-2013 Sports
Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns

05-16-2013 Sports
Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!

05-16-2013 News
Set Babysitting Class for May 25

05-16-2013 News
Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day

05-16-2013 News
Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates

05-16-2013 News
Church Dinner, Auction May 19

05-16-2013 Perspectives
From our readers

05-16-2013 Perspectives
Tales from the old-timer

05-16-2013 Perspectives
Country Cousin

05-16-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24

05-16-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10

05-16-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27

05-16-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees

05-16-2013 Community - Crivitz
Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney

05-16-2013 Community - Crivitz
TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale

05-16-2013 Community - Crivitz
Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12

05-16-2013 Community - Crivitz
Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting

05-16-2013 Community - Coleman
Coleman High School Graduation is June 1

05-16-2013 Community - Coleman
2 Top Coleman Seniors

05-16-2013 Community - Coleman
Fine Art Nite at Coleman School

05-16-2013 Community - Coleman
Coleman Services for Memorial Day

05-08-2013 Front Page
Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty

05-08-2013 Front Page
City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees

05-08-2013 Front Page
Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected

05-08-2013 Front Page
Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th

05-08-2013 Front Page
Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients

05-08-2013 Front Page
Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Irene Zoellner

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Lila V. Tippett

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Clarence E. Treptow

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Dennis L. Tachick

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Roger K. Schiefelbein

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Sharon A. Ronan

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Robert Ranallo, Sr.

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Jerry Rakowski

05-08-2013 Obituaries
James Prefontaine

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Spencer B. Patz

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Lila E. Miller

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Patricia Mathey

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Helen J. Lemery

05-08-2013 Obituaries
William H. Keller

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Alice Johnson

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Ronald Cedric Henning

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Algin T. Hendricksen

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Paul G. Grunwald

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Cheryl Lynn Gallo

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Gyneth Gadtzke

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Crystal Ann Gabriel

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Curtis P. Frank, Sr.

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Della A. DeStarkey

05-08-2013 Obituaries
Daniel P. Barney

05-08-2013 News
Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2

05-08-2013 News
5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run

05-08-2013 News
Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27

05-08-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Wagner Board Meets May 14

05-08-2013 Community - Wausaukee
SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13

05-08-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11

05-08-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11

05-08-2013 Community - Crivitz
CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1

05-08-2013 Community - Crivitz
Legion Trap 22

05-08-2013 Community - Crivitz
Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day

05-08-2013 Community - Crivitz
Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion

05-08-2013 Community - Coleman
Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy

05-08-2013 Community - Coleman
Parkway Ladies Start

05-08-2013 Community - Coleman
Comins Graduates Basic

05-08-2013 Community - Coleman
Graduates Basic

05-08-2013 Sports
Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament

05-08-2013 Sports
Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead

05-08-2013 Sports
Marines Shine At Home Invite

05-08-2013 Sports
Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Patricia J. Waschbisch

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Bessie Riley

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Russell D. Thurow

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Anne Schumacher

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Janette B. Perry

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Marilyn Mc Keefry

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Timothy J. Lynch

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Donald J. Kubiak

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Marilyn Mc Keefry

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Reino L. Lampinen

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Lonnie L. Kasbaum

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Dave Gajeski

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Gyneth I. Gatzke

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Virgil L. Erdman

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Albert J. Demers

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Bernard L. Courchaine

05-02-2013 Obituaries
David Campbell

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Roy Bylund

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Dale P. Bundy

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Gerda M. Barrick

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Antoinette A. Bacon

05-02-2013 Obituaries
Bonnie R. Artz

05-02-2013 Front Page
Peshtigo Woman Murdered

05-02-2013 Front Page
Crivitz High School Ranks 22 in Survey

05-02-2013 Front Page
Heyer Changes Plea in Murder

05-02-2013 Front Page
City Parks, Recreation Director Marquardt Takes County Job

05-02-2013 Front Page
Public Hearing On 4 Ordinances Precedes May 7 Council Meet

05-02-2013 Perspectives
From our readers

05-02-2013 Perspectives
Tales from the old-timer

05-02-2013 Perspectives
Country Cousin

05-02-2013 Sports
Oconto Falls Girls Dominate Invite

05-02-2013 Sports
Suring Cruises To Track Sweep; Cops 22 1st Place Marks

05-02-2013 Sports
Bulldog Booster Bash On May 4

05-02-2013 Sports
Coleman Improves To 6-0

05-02-2013 News
Walking Club To Paddle on River

05-02-2013 News
Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6

05-02-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Car, Lightning Cause Outages

05-02-2013 Community - Wausaukee
SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13

05-02-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Ladies Luncheon at Assembly Church

05-02-2013 Community - Wausaukee
Eight Wausaukee Music Students Advance to State

05-02-2013 Community - Crivitz
Crivitz High School 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 18

05-02-2013 Community - Crivitz
OWI Task Force Town of Stephenson

05-02-2013 Community - Crivitz
List Theme for July 4th Parade

05-02-2013 Community - Crivitz
CYI Summer Youth Programs

05-02-2013 Community - Coleman
Smarter Than 5th Grader at Coleman

05-02-2013 Community - Coleman
Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6

05-01-2013 Front Page
Suspect Will Face Homicide Charges In Marinette County

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Roger C. Winter

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Alfred W. Weissgerber

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Josephine H. VandenBush

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Julius Torzala

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Anna Szkolny

04-25-2013 Obituaries
Sylvin J. Steffes